Reader's viewpoint: Gun control answers

Times Reporter

Writer

Posted Jan. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 26, 2013 at 1:55 PM

Posted Jan. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 26, 2013 at 1:55 PM

Shortly after taking office in 1977, President Carter appointed the President’s Commission on Mental Health. The key to the proposals included an increase in funding for Community Mental Health Centers and continued federal government support for such programs.

This ran counter to the financial goals of the Reagan administration. So, the law was rescinded by Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was implemented. The next eight years were spent learning how restrictive this law was. Without the patients consent or a court order, health information is not available.

In 2012, the city of Chicago shutdown six of its 12 outpatient mental health clinics in an effort to consolidate cost under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s budget. However, they’re extending their efforts to focus on building other mental health services. (This is politician’s double talk). Due to budget restraints, how many more clinics were shut down in the United States?

Because of the HIPPA Law people hesitate to get involved. Again, our tunnel vision leaders fixed 3 percent of the problem and the 97 percent pay the price.

The guns in the Sandy Hook tragedy were legally purchased and the mother paid the price. What new law would correct this?

Fix the mental health system and the violent electronic games we use to program our youth. The Second Amendment must remain as written.